La Fête de la Musique is a lively street music festival that takes place every June 21 in Paris and is one of the most popular events of the year in the city of light. Hundreds of musicians gather in the streets, bars and cafes of Paris, offering free performances of everything from jazz and rock to hip-hop and electronic music.
For a taste of authentic Parisian culture, don’t miss the Fête de la Musique on a June trip to Paris. The atmosphere is light and the opportunity to see the city’s neighborhoods, bars and cafes like a local is rarely better than during this convivial event. This is a must for any early summer stay in the French capital, but to get the most out of it, scroll down for tips on how to navigate the program like the locals do.
Practical details
La Fête de la Musique is held every June 21 (the day of the summer solstice) and usually begins at dusk.
To find out which performances are scheduled at your hotel or in a specific district (arrondissement) of Paris for the event, check the official website. Overall, there are hundreds of shows in the city, from sidewalk quartets and garage bands to outdoor stadium events, so there is always a wide variety of options.
How to make the most of this event
Everyone has their own strategy for spending the night: some prefer to peruse the official program and choose some carefully selected concerts; others like to stroll the streets and come across great (or mediocre) concerts. Snake aimlessly from the Beaubourg Quarter, to République and Belleville in eastern Paris, savoring everything from thrash metal to Yiddish folk music. By letting yourself be carried away by the performances, you will be able to dabble in different styles and most likely get more out of the event.
Ride the subway during the party
As you might expect, the Paris metro is often packed to the brim for the Fête de la Musique. Paris buses will also have trouble getting around, as many streets are blocked from installing stages. Consider walking back to your hotel – you’ll probably save time and catch a glimpse of some more memorable concerts on your way back. Make sure to bring a good street map of the city of Paris.
Fortunately, some Paris metro and RER (commuter train) lines will be open all night so you don’t have to worry about getting stranded somewhere.
Also, the night bus service (‘Noctilien’) can take you anywhere the metro and RER lines can’t (but probably won’t need them).
